UUSB   LIBRARY. 


V 


AN  ANGEL  YISIT ; 


OR 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  GENTLE  LIZZIE. 


A  SKETCH  FBOM  LIFE. 


"  A  little  while  they  dwell  with  us, 

Blessed  ministers  of  love ; 
Then  spread  the  wings  we  had  not  seen, 

And  seek  their  home  above." 


APPROVED    BT    THE    COMMITTEE    OF    PCBLICATIOIf. 


BOSTON : 

NEW   ENGLAND   SABBATH    SCHOOL   UNION. 

Heath  &  Grates,  79  Cornhill. 

1853. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1853, 

By  heath  &  GRAVES, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


J.  M.  Hewes  &  Co.,  Printers....81  Cornhill,  Boston. 


PREFACE 


The  sketch  portrayed  in  this  httle  work,  is 
one  of  perfect  truthfuhiess,  being  given  to  the 
writer  by  the  lady  of  a  Baptist  minister  now  in 
this  country,  who  was  personally  acquainted 
with  Elizabeth  from  her  infancy  until  her 
death.  Children  possessing  traits  of  character 
so  truly  angehc,  make  their  appearance  but 
seldom  on  this  sin-marred  earth,  and  therefore 
it  is  a  pleasure  to  record  their  visits,  though 
such  records  receive  not  the  credence  which  is 
their  due. 

If  the  Httle  star  which  gleamed  out  so 
brightly  from  the  firmament  in  which  she  lived 
and  moved,  shall  have  left  a  Hght  that  shall 
illumine  the  path  of  any  young  spirit  in  its 
earthly  journey,  our  purpose  will  be  accom- 
pUshed. 

The  Author. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I.— Infancy 7 

CHAPTER  II.— Developments  of  Childhood 19 

CHAPTER  III.— Incidents  of  School  Life 45 

CHAPTER  IV.— Closing  Scenes 57 


AN  ANGEL  V-ISIT 


CHAPTER   I. 

IXFAXCY. 

— "  O  God  !    Thou  hast  a  fountain  stirred, 

Whose  waters  never  more  shall  rest."— JV/rs.  Judson. 

There  was  much  joy  in  the  bright  Summer 
of  the  year  1829  within  an  elegant  mansion  of 
one  of  the  most  aristocratic  portions  of  the  city 
of  London.  A  father  and  a  mother  rejoiced 
over  the  entrance  of  an  immortal  spirit  into  a 
precious  little  form,  which  they  could  fold  in 
their  arms  and  call  by  the  sweet  name,  "  my 
daughter."  Yet  so  very  frail  was  this  tiny 
flower  just  opening  into  life,  that  fear  lest  it 
should  wither  in  their  clasp,  mingled  itself  mth 
their  happiness,  and  cast  a  shadow  over  the 
future.  Friends  came,  and  looked  at  the  del- 
icate being  ushered  into  tliis  stern  existence, 


8  AN    ANGEL   VISIT. 

and  turned  away  with  gestures  of  sorrow,  be- 
lieving the  first  rough  breath  of  the  air  which 
was  its  Hfe,  would  extinguish  the  feeble  flame 
forever.  Very* sagely  too,  they  cautioned  the 
young  mother,  whose  eyes  were  resting  with 
affection  upon  this  new  claimant  for  her  love, 
against  making  "  an  idol  of  the  poor  babe,  for 
it  could  not  long  be  hers." 

But  a  mother^ s  heart  is  ever  hopeful,  and 
she  to  whom  "  this  bird  with  the  immortal 
wing "  was  given,  believed  she  could  cherish 
it  in  the  nest  of  maternal  love,  until  it  should 
be  prepared  to  enter  paradise,  wearing  the 
"  plumage  of  an  angel,"  a  redeemed  and  puri- 
fied trophy  of  the  love  of  Christ.  And  so  it 
was  ;  and  the  fair  flower  slowly  expanded  amid 
the  genial  influences  of  love,  until  its  fragrance 
delighted  the  gardens  of  domestic  and  social 
bhss. 

Elizabeth  Eldridge  Matthews  was  the 
child  of  a  mother  deeply  learned  in  the  lessons 
of  piety.  Those  lessons  had  been  taught  her 
in  the  school  of  aflfliction,  for  though  occupying 
a  high  rank  m  the  circles  of  fashion  and  nobil- 


AN   AXGEL   VISIT.  9 

ity,  and  surrounded  by  every  temptation  the 
world  could  offer,  she  had  found  the  cup  of 
earthly  pleasure  to  contain  the  bitterest  dregs 
of  sorrow.  And  so  she  had  turned  from  it  in 
disgust,  and  at  an  early  period  in  her  married 
life  had  pledged  herself  to  the  ser\dce  of  God, 
"  choosmg  rather  to  suffer  affliction  in  His  ser- 
vice, than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a 
season ;  esteeming  the  reproach  of  Christ 
greater  riches  than  the  treasures  "  of  wealth 
by  which  she  was  surrounded.  The  history  of 
that  mother  was  written  in  darkness,  and  tears, 
and  scorn,  "  and  stripes,  and  cruel  mockings," 
— ^yet  onward  through  all  she  went,  "  looking 
unto  Jesus,  the  author  and  finisher  of  her 
faith." 

And  now  a  charge  was  committed  to  her — 
the  charge  of  an  undying  spirit — and  she  re- 
solved so  to  watch  over  it,  so  to  guide  and  so 
to  instruct,  as  to  be  able  to  return  it  into  the 
Giver's  hands,  ready  for  a  place  in  His  temple 
"of  hght  and  purity.  And  He  gave  to  that 
young  spirit  a  gentle  and  docile  disposition, 
making  it  a  fit  recipient  for  such  holy  influen- 


10  AN   ANGEL  VISIT. 

ces,  and  blessed  the  watering  of  a  mother's 
prayers  and  a  mother's  teachings,  with  the  in- 
crease of  His  Spirit  and  His  grace. 

The  first  lessons  of  infancy  were  those  of 
prayer.  Mrs.  Matthews  never  resorted  to  her 
ante-room  for  the  purpose  of  secret  devotional 
exercises,  without  leading  thither  her  httle 
Lizzie,  if  awake.  Taking  her  Bible,  she  would 
seat  the  httle  girl  by  her  side,  and  say  to  her, 
"  Now  mother  is  going  to  read  God's  book, 
and  Lizzie  must  be  still,  and  Hsten."  And 
then  she  would  fold  her  Httle  hands,  and  sit 
with  the  gravity  of  a  woman,  apparently  as 
much  interested  as  if  she  understood  every 
word.  Then  when  she  knelt  in  prayer,  Lizzie 
knelt  also,  and  no  instance  is  remembered  in 
which  she  appeared  restless,  or  weary  of  the 
exercise.  She  was  taught  that  her  mother 
was  conversing  with  a  Father  in  heaven  who 
could  hear  her,  and  would  do  for  her  all  that 
was  right,  and  thus  the  germs  of  a  true  devo- 
tion were  implanted  in  the  very  Spring  time 
of  life.  So  true  are  the  lines  of  an  American 
mother, 


AN   ANGEL   VISIT.  11 

"  When  we  see  the  flower  seeds  wafted 
From  the  nurturing  mother  tree, 

Tell  we  can,  wherever  planted, 
What  the  harvesting  will  be. 

"  Never  from  the  blasting  thistle. 
Was  there  gathered  golden  grain ; 

Thus  the  seal  the  child  receiveth 
From  its  mother,  will  remain." 

Among  the  first  lessons  in  the  book  of  life, 
came  that  of  obedience  ;  the  very  alphabet  of 
moral  and  rehgious  language.  Poor  little  Liz- 
zie's first  exercise  was  alike  painful  to  the  mo- 
ther and  the  child  ;  but  the  mother  taught  in 
the  spirit  of  duty,  and  the  child  remembered, 
for  it  was  given  firmly,  but  with  afiection. 

The  nurse  employed  to  tend  upon  Lizzie  and 
take  charge  of  her  in  her  mother's  moments  of 
unavoidable  absence,  was  an  ignorant  Welsh 
girl,  very  httle  acquainted  with  the  English 
language.  Mrs.  M.  regretted  being  compelled 
to  employ  a  domestic  of  so  objectionable  a 
character,  but  no  alternative  presented.  Some- 
time after  her  introduction  into  the  family, 
Mrs.  M.  was  one  morning  alone  with  her  Httle 
daughter,  and  wishing  to  try  the  abihty  of  the 


\ 


12  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

child  to  exert  her  physical  powers,  directed 
her  to  bring  an  article  from  a  distant  part  of 
the  room.  To  her  great  surprise,  the  little 
creature  turned  round  with  an  air  of  defiance, 
and  hsped  out,  "  unt,  unt,  ma,"  her  infantile 
word  for  won't.  Unwilhng  to  believe  what 
she  heard  was  really  a  refusal  to  obey,  Mrs. 
M.  repeated  the  command,  and  again  Lizzie 
tossed  her  little  head,  saying,  "  unt,  unt." 
Satisfied  now  that  a  spirit  of  wilful  disobedience 
had  taken  possession  of  her  child,  she  at  once 
felt  it  her  duty,  however  painful  the  necessity, 
to  correct  her  and  compel  obedience.  She 
accordingly  administered  a  chastisement  pro-' 
portioned  to  her  age  and  strength.  The  poor 
little  creature  seemed  almost  beside  herself 
with  grief  at  this  new  mode  of  treatment,  and 
when  it  was  over,  she  clung  convulsively  to 
her  mother,  sobbing  most  pitifully,  "  Kiss,  ma! 
oh,  kiss!"  The  •kiss  was  bestowed,  and  then 
Lizzie  was  once  more  directed  to  do  as  she 
was  bade  before.  Lizzie  instantly  went  to  the 
place  pointed  out,  and  tottered  back  dragging 
the  article  nearly  as  large  as  herself,  repeating 
her  lisping  request  to  be  embraced.     Mrs.  M. 


AN   AXGEL   VISIT.  13 

took  the  little  penitent  in  her  arms,  and  said 
to  her, 

"  Lizzie  must  never  say  '  mit,'  it  is  a  bad 
word." 

"  Jane  tell  me  say  unt,  mamma.'- 

"  Lizzie  must  mind  father  and  mother,  and 
not  say  won't,  if  Jane  does  tell." 

"  Lizzie  mind  mamma  next  time  ;"  and  from 
that  houi-  she  was  never  known  to  utter  a  re- 
bellious word,  or  to  disobey  in  a  single  instance. 


\Mien  Elizabeth  was  about  three  years  of 
age,  the  Cholera  appeared  in  London,  and  Mrs. 
Matthews  was  one  of  the  first  who  experienced 
an  attack.  This  much  dreaded  disease  had 
been  the  subject  of  conversation  in  the  presence 
of  Elizabeth  many  times,  and  she  seemed  to 
treasure  up  in  her  memory  all  that  she  heard. 
The  danger  of  Mrs.  M.'s  case  was  hardly  past, 
when  Lizzie  was  attacked  by  symptoms  of  the 
same  disease.  Mrs.  M.  being  very  weak,  it 
was  judged  best  to  remove  Lizzie  to  another 
apartment,  an  arrangement  equally  trying  to 
both.      As  she   was   being   can-ied   out,   she 


14  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

turned  her  head  to  Avhere  her  mother  lay,  and 
seeing  her  m  tears,  said  in  her  childish  accents, 
"  Never  mind,  mamma,  God  bring  me  back  to 
yoii  again.  I  not  got  Cholerj,  only  Cholery 
MorhyP  Such  was  the  distinction  she  had 
traced  in  the  nature  of  the  two  complaints,  and 
the  event  proved  as  she  had  said,  her  disease 
being  the  usual  Cholera  Infantum.  She  was 
very  ill  for  many  days,  and  but  little  hope  was 
entertained  of  her  recovery.  Her  mother  had 
become  able  to  be  with  her,  and  one  evening, 
just  before  sunset,  they  had  carried  her  to  the 
open  window  to  catch,  if  possible,  some  breath 
from  the  sullen  atmosphere  around.  She  lay 
for  some  time  with  her  eyes  upraised  to  the 
clouds  floating  lazily  over  the  tops  of  the  high 
buildings  which  surrounded  her  father's  dwell- 
ing. Suddenly  she  raised  her  tiny  finger  and 
pointing  upward,  said, ''  Look  !  look!  mamma." 

"  What  is  it,  dearest  ?"  said  her  mother, 
looking  in  the  direction  of  Lizzie's  finger,  but 
seeing  nothing. 

"  Look  there  !  mamma.  God  Almighty  up 
there.  He  coming  down  to  sleep  in  the  bed 
with  ma  and  me  to-night !"     This  spoken  with 


AN  AXGEL   VISIT.  15 

an  earnestness  of  manner  and  gaze  as  if  she 
really  saw  what  she  described,  startled  all 
around,  but  no  comments  were  made,  for  she 
soon  beghn  to  sink.  Mrs.  M.  received  it  as  a 
token  that  her  child's  death  would  occur  that 
night.  But  to  the  surprise  of  all,  the  evenuig 
brought  an  amendment,  and  her  recovery  from 
that  night  was  rapid  beyond  the  most  sangume 
expectations,  until  soon  the  music  of  her  hvely 
prattle,  and  the  tripping  of  her  tiny  feet,  once 
more  gladdened  all  the  household. 


It  was  some  time  between  her  second  and 
third  year,  that  Lizzie  came  into  her  mother's 
room,  saying,  "  Where  my  shoes,  mamma  ?" 
Thinking  she  wanted  them  for  playthings,  Mrs. 
M.  told  her  they  were  in  the  closet,  and  the 
door  being  open,  the  httle  one  went  in  search 
of  them.  After  fumbhng  among  them  for  a 
few  minutes,  she  crept  out  with  a  pair  of  odd, 
cast-off  slippers,  one  pink  and  the  other  blue, 
and  began  to  descend  the  stairs.  Not  think- 
ing it  quite  safe  for  her  to  go  do^vn  alone,  as 
she  had  to  let  herself  do^^Tl  sitting  from  step 


16  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

to  step,  Mrs.  M.,  unseen  by  the  child,  stepped 
into  the  hall  to  watch  her.  One  little  hand 
held  the  slippers  tightly,  while  the  other  clung 
for  support  to  the  railing.  When  she  arrived 
below  the  final  turn  of  the  stairs,  being  hid 
from  Mrs.  M.'s  view,  she  heard  the  child  say, 
"  There,  poor  man — take  shoes — bring  you 
penny ;"  and  then  came  a  response  from  the 
rough  voice  of  a  man — "  Blessings  on  the 
child!  The  Lord  bless  the  little  angel!" 
And  the  voice  of  the  nursery  maid  was  recog- 
nized, saying,  "  That  is  just  like  Lizzie ! 
She'd  give  every  thing  she  has  in  the  world." 
Mrs.  M.  now  went  down  to  ascertain  the  real 
character  of  the  scene,  and  found  a  ragged 
and  barefooted  old  man  an  apphcant  for  charity. 
Mrs.  M.,  amused  at  the  gift  Lizzie  had  offered 
him,  said  to  her, 

"  Why,  the  man  can't  wear  your  shoes,  Liz- 
zie." 

"  No,  ma,  but  he  sell,  and  get  penny." 
How  she  had  arrived  at  this  conclusion,  was 
a  mystery,  until  Jane  said  she  had  sometimes 
stopped  in  her  walks  with  Lizzie  at  the  pawn- 
broker's shops,  where  she  was  acquainted,  and 


AX    ANGEL   VISIT.  17 

the  child  had  noticed  money  being  given  for 
old  clothes,  and  in  this  manner  she  had  exhibit- 
ed the  benevolent  results  of  her  childish  ob- 
serving. 

Lizzie  was  in  her  fourth  year  when  a  friend 
of  her  mother's  invited  to  her  house  a  party  of 
little  ones  of  a  similar  age,  as  \dsitants  of  her 
own  little  daughter,  and  Lizzie  among  them. 
At  the  proper  hour  for  dispersing,  their  attend- 
ants arrived  to  take  them  home,  and  when  at- 
tired for  their  return,  Lizzie  went  up  to  the 
lady  of  the  house,  saying, 

"We've  had  a  nice  time,  Mrs.  S.,  shan't 
we  kneel  down  and  thank  God  ?" 

Supposing  she  wished  to  say  the  Lord's 
Prayer,  as  children  who  were  trained  by  Epis- 
copaHan  parents  generally  did,  Mrs.  S.  rephed, 
"  Yes,  my  dear,  certainly.  Children,  you  may 
all  kneel."  To  her  astonishment,  Uttle  Lizzie 
clasped  her  hands,  and  as  the  children  knelt 
around  her,  poured  out  her  own  artless  peti- 
tion thus : 

"  Heavenly  Father  I  0  Lord  we  have  met, 
a  parcel  of  us,  to  play,  and  we've  enjoyed  our- 


18  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

selves.  We've  broke  no  howls,  and  not  got 
hurt ;  and  now  we  are  going  home,  may  we 
get  home  well ;  keep  us  all  night ;  forgive  what 
we  have  done  wrong  ;  bless  us  all,  and  make 
us  good  for  Christ's  sake,  amen." 

What  were  the  thoughts  of  the  children,  is 
not  known.  Lizzie  acted  from  an  evident 
sense  of  duty,  and  when  Mrs.  S.  related  the 
incident,  she  said  it  was  the  most  touching 
scene  she  ever  beheld.  And  it  cannot  be 
doubted  that  the  grace  of  God  had  drawn  that 
young  heart  thus  early  to  Himself  through  the 
influence  of  a  mother's  prayers  and  example. 


AX   AXGEL   VISIT.  19 


CHAPTER    II. 

DEVELOPMEXTS    OF    CHILDHOOD. 

Elizabeth  had  now  attained  the  age  of  five 
years,  and  it  was  judged  best  to  send  her  to  a 
school  not  far  from  her  father's  residence. 
True,  she  might  have  been  taught  at  home  all 
that  was  requisite  for  her  young  mind  to  ac- 
quire, but  other  reasons  than  the  necessity  for 
learning  ojDerated  in  fomiing  this  decision.  In 
sorrow  be  it  written,  the  father  of  gentle  Lizzie 
was  a  man  who  "  feared  not  God  nor  regarded 
man."  It  was  his  delight  to  oppose  the  efforts 
of  that  mother  to  train  up  her  child  in  the  paths 
of  holiness,  and  every  form  of  cruelty,  both 
mental  and  physical,  his  ingenuity  could  de- 
vise, was  directed  to  persecute  his  wife,  from 
the  time  she  refused  to  accompany  him  in  the 
paths  of  sin.     He  loved  his  gentle  daughter  as 


20  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

well  as  he  was  capable  of  loving  any  thing  be- 
sides the  indulgence  of  his  sinful  passions,  yet 
when  heated  by  wine,  and  incensed  by  ill  luck 
in  gambling,  he  has  returned  to  his  home  and 
found  his  wife  and  child  on  their  knees,  neither 
the  entreaties  of  one,  or  the  youth  and  tender- 
ness of  the  other,  were  sufficient  to  restrain  his 
rage,  or  deter  him  from  personal  cruelty. 
And  the  more  steadily  his  wife  adhered  to  the 
faith  and  practises  of  the  gospel,  the  more 
violent  did  his  ill  treatment  become  ;  and  so 
much  more  frequently  did  these  storms  arise, 
that  the  project  of  sending  Lizzie  to  school  was 
devised  as  a  means  of  shelter  from  a  part  of 
these  hurricanes  of  wrath. 

Sometime  after  her  entrance  into  the  school, 
the  usual  hour  for  her  return  had  passed,  and 
still  she  was  absent.  Fearing  lest  she  had  lost 
her  way,  or  become  detained  by  some  accident, 
a  servant  was  despatched  in  search  of  the 
child.  Not  finding  her  at  the  school-room,  the 
girl  passed  up  the  street,  looking  anxiously  in 
all  directions.  In  turning  a  corner,  she  passed 
the  half  open  door  of  a  very  wretched  tene- 
ment, inhabited  by  a  poor  family  having  sev- 


AX   AXGEL   VISIT.  21 

eral  children.  Hearing  a  voice,  the  girl 
stopped,  and  immediately  recognized  it  as 
Elizabeth's.  She  entered  the  dwelling,  and 
the  first  sight  that  met  her  eyes  was  Lizzie 
upon  her  knees  bj  the  side  of  a  bed,  where  lay 
a  httle  girl  apparently  much  older  than  herself, 
afflicted  by  illness.  In  tones  of  the  deepest 
earnestness,  she  was  asking  the  Lord  "  Please 
make  the  poor  sick  girl  well."  Rising,  she 
addressed  the  child  affectionately,  saying, 
"  You  must  read  God's  book,  and  pray  to  Him, 
if  you  want  to  go  to  heaven."  Then  seeing 
the  girl  who  had  •  come  for  her,  she  advanced 
to  go  with  her,  but  turned  back,  saying,  "  When 
I  go  home,  little  girl,  I'll  bring  you  some  din- 
ner, and  some  money,  too  !" 

When  she  arrived  at  home,  her  mother  ques- 
tioned her  as  to  the  cause  of  her  absence,  when 
she  truthfully  related  it,  and  added,  "  Please, 
mamma,  let  me  take  my  dinner  and  my  two 
shillings  to  the  poor  girl  ?  I  can  go  without 
my  dinner  if  father  is  angry."  Permission 
was  granted  to  do  as  she  wished,  and  a  com- 
fortable dinner  placed  in  her  httle  basket,  with 
which  she  ran  off  with  the  greatest  glee.     From 


22  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

that  time  her  visits  were  daily  repeated  until 
the  child  recovered,  and  the  mother  informed 
Mrs.  M.  that  Lizzie  would  invariably  read  a 
little  in  the  Testament,  and  pray  with  her  be- 
fore leaving. 

Not  very  long  after  this,  occurred  an  inci- 
dent both  amusing  and  unpleasant  from  its  re- 
sults towards  Lizzie.  It  is  probably  well  known 
to  most  of  our  readers,  that  in  London  there 
are  establishments  which  employ  a  large  num- 
ber of  chimney  sweeps,  who  are  '  bound  out' 
from  a  certain  age,  and  after  being  in- 
dented, they  wear  in  front  of  their  hats  the 
name  of  their  master.  Very  small  boys  are 
sometimes  found  in  these  establishments,  and 
their  office  is  to  carry  the  bag  and  the  brush, 
and  act  as  waiters  upon  the  older  boys.  Any 
neglect  of  duty,  or  disobedience  of  commands, 
is  generally  punished  with  great  severity,  the 
government  of  the  master  being  almost  entirely 
despotic. 

On  returning  from  school  one  day,  Elizabeth 
met  one  of  these  young  chimney  sweeps  stand- 
ing on  the  sidewalk  and  weeping  bitterly. 
Immediately  she  ran  up  to  him  in  her  childish 


AN    ANGEL   VISIT.  23 

way,  saying,  '^Voov  urchin!  what's  the  mat- 
ter?" 

"I  can't  find  master's  house,  and  he'll  beat 
me,  sure." 

"  "What's  youi-  master's  name,  Httle  urchin  ?" 

"  Mr.  Black ;  he  lives  somewhere,  I  don't 
know ;  I'se  not  been  there  but  two  or  three 
days." 

"  Come  along,  urchin,  I  know  where  he 
lives  ;  don't  cry,  I'll  show  you."  And  taking 
hold  of  the  sooty  hand  of  the  boy,  much  larger 
than  herself,  she  tripped  along,  while  he  forgot 
his  sorrow  in  astonishment  at  the  httle  creature 
who  had  thus  come  to  his  relief.  But  there 
had  been  a  witness  to  this  scene,  which  had 
poor  Lizzie  kno^vn,  her  benevolent  proceedings 
would  have  been  amiihilated  in  the  first  thought. 
Her  father  was  on  horseback,  passing  at  the 
moment  his  daughter  spoke  to  the  chimney 
sweep,  and  in  surprise  and  curiosity  he  checked 
the  reins,  watching  her  movements.  Seeing 
her  lead  off  with  the  poor  boy,  he  rode  imme- 
diately home,  and  when  Lizzie  entered  it, 
buoyant  with  the  delight  of  having  saved  the 
little  SAveep  from  punishment,  her  father  met 


24  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

her  in  a  boundless  fury.  Seizing  his  riding 
whip,  he  lashed  it  about  the  tender  child,  say- 
ing, "  I'll  teach  you  to  disgrace  your  father  in 
this  manner.  Pretty  doings  this  !  I  suppose 
your  mother  teaches  you  such  practises  ;"  and 
again,  and  again,  the  lash  descended,  while 
Lizzie's  gentle  voice  pleaded,  "  Hear  me,  fa- 
ther !  oh  don't  whip  so,  till  you  hear  me  tell." 
Her  mother  ran  into  the  room  in  alarm,  and, 
catching  her  husband's  arm,  inqjiired  what  he 
meant,  and  what  the  child  had  done.  "  Why, 
she's  disgraced  me,  the  little  brat,  and  I'll  kill 
her  if  she  repeats  such  conduct." 

"  Oh,  father  !"  said  Lizzie,  "  only  hear  me 
tell  you  why  I  did  it,  and  then,  father,  if  you 
think  I've  done  wrong,  whip  me  as  much  as  I 
deserve."  This  was  too  much,  and  her  mother 
seizing  her  in  her  arms,  declared  she  would 
shelter  her  until  she  knew  how  far  she  was 
guilty.  Her  father  then  related  in  his  passion- 
ate manner  what  he  had  seen,  and  Lizzie  re- 
plied, "  Oh,  mamma,  if  you  could  have  seen 
how  poor  urchm  cried,  and  how  hungry  he  was, 
and  then  his  master  might  have  beat  him  to 
death.     Did'nt  I  do  right,  mamma  ?"     It  was 


AN   AXGEL    VISIT.  25 

Mrs.  M.'s  principle  never  to  encourage  the 
first  rebellious  feeling  towards  the  father,  what- 
ever he  might  do,  and  so  on  this  occasion, 
though  inwardly  charmed  at  the  kind  spirit  of 
her  child,  she  repUed,  "  Well,  Lizzie  mustn't 
speak  to  bovs  on  the  street  again.  Father  will 
forgive  her  this  time,  if  she  will  do  so  no  more." 
"  Indeed,  I  did'nt  know  I  was  wrong,  mother — 
please,  father,  forgive  me."  But  there  was 
no  relenting  in  the  lion  temper  of  Mr.  M.  when 
it  was  once  roused,  and  the  mother  bore  her 
child  to  her  own  room  for  shelter  from  his 
wrath. 

To  encourage  a  spirit  of  benevolence,  Mrs. 
M.  made  a  practice  of  furnishing  her  little 
daughter  with  small  sums  of  money,  allowing 
her  to  devote  it  to  any  purpose  she  pleased. 
Her'  aptitude  in  learning  hymns  and  chapters, 
often  caused  visitors  who  considered  her  ca- 
pacity remarkable,  to  reward  her  with  gifts  of 
money,  as  well  as  of  other  presents.  A  gen- 
tleman once  engaged  her  to  learn  the  twenty- 
fifth  chapter  of  Matthew,  and  when  she  had 
acquired  it,  he  insisted  on  her  taking  several 
shillings.      With  her  mother's  reluctant  per- 


26  AN  ANGEL  VISIT. 

mission  she  accepted  it,  and  it  was  deposited 
immediately  for  safe  keeping  in  her  mother's 
drawer. 

The  day  after  this  had  occurred,  a  poor 
widow  who  had  frequently  worked  for  Mrs.  M. 
called  at  the  door  and  requested  to  see  her. 
Mrs.  M.  sent  for  her  to  the  room  where  she 
was  sitting  with  Lizzie  by  her  side.  "  Well, 
Mrs.  H.,  how  are  you  to-day  ;  I  hope  you  are 
not  in  trouble  ?" 

"  Indeed,  madam,  it  is  that  which  brought 
me  here.  My  landlord  says  if  I  don't  pay  my 
rent  before  night,  he  will  sell  my  bed  and  all  I 
have.  And  so  I  came  to  see  if  you  would  be 
•  so  kind  as  to  lend  me  enough  to  pay  my  rent 
until  I  can  earn  it,  and  I'll  be  honest  about 
paying  it,  madam." 

"  I  do  not  doubt  your  honesty,  my  good 
woman  ;  how  much  do  you  need  ?" 

The  sum  was  named,  and  Mrs.  M.  placed  it 
in  her  hands,  saying,  "■  You  need  not  return  it, 
you  are  quite  welcome  to  it." 

Lizzie  then  looked  up,  saying,  "  May  I 
speak,  mamma  ?" 

"  Yes,  my  dear." 


AN   AXGEL   VISIT.  Z< 

"  You  know,  ma,  I  have  seven  shillings  now, 
because  yesterday  Mr.  G.  gave  me  some  for 
sa}nng  my  chapter.  May  I  give  it  to  Mrs. 
H.  ?  You  know,  ma,  when  she  has  paid  her 
rent,  her  ])oor  little  children  will  ivant  some- 
thing to  eat;  please  let  me  give  her  my 
money?" 

This  kind  thoughtfulness,  so  unusual  in  a 
child,  drew  tears  from  the  eyes  of  the  poor 
woman,  and  she  sobbed  out,  "  God  bless  her 
for  a  darlmg  as  she  is  I" 

Knowing  the  woman  to  be  worthy,  Mrs. 
Matthews  cheerfully  acceded  to  EHzabeth's 
request,  and  the  child  placed  the  money  in  the 
woman's  hands  with  e\ident  dehght.  When 
she  rose  to  depart,  Lizzie  went  up  to  her,  and 
looking  up  in  her  face,  said,  "  Mrs.  H.,  when 
you  go  home  you  will  thank  God  for  his  good- 
ness, won't  you?"  This  was  the  generosity 
and  piety  e\inced  by  one  but  yet  a  babe  in 
years. 

It  was  an  usual  practice  with  the  father  of 
httle  Lizzie  to  spend  his  nights  at  the  gaming 
house,  compelhng  his  wife  to  sit  up  for  him  in 
order  to  opeji  the  door.     On  some  occasions 


28  AX   AXGEL   VISIT. 

he  chose  to  enter  -^'ith  his  private  key,  and 
leaving  his  shoes  below,  to  steal  upon  her 
wearisome  vigils  before  she  could  be  aware  of 
his  presence.  The  Bible  was  always  before 
her,  or  else  she  was  seeking  comfort  in  com- 
munion with  an  ever  wakeful  God  ;  but  when 
his  ring  was  heard,  she  always  secreted  the 
blessed  book,  and  prepared  to  greet  her 
wretched  partner  with  calmness.  On  one  oc- 
casion he  stole  so  softly  into  the  room,  that  he 
was  before  her  ere  she  could  rise  from  her  seat. 
"  Ah,  this  is  what  you  are  at  again,  is  it  ?" 
and  quick  as  thought  the  Bible  was  snatched 
from  her  hands  and  thrown  upon  the  grate. 
It  was  but  the  work  of  a  moment  to  rescue  it 
and  bear  it  to  a  place  of  safety.  Of  course 
such  a  scene  left  its  impression  upon  the  short 
time  remaining  for  repose,  and  when  Mrs.  M. 
rose  in  the  morning,  she  left  her  sleeping  hus- 
band and  child,  to  seek  consolation  and  strength 
at  a  throne  of  grace.  She  had  left  little  Lizzie 
sweetly  slumbering  in  her  crib,  but  soon  heard 
her  gentle  voice  inquiring,  "  \Yhere's  mam- 
ma?" Mrs.  M.  rose  from  her  retirement  in 
the  adjacent  room,  and  went  to  the  side  of  the 


AN  ANGEL  VISIT.  29 

bed.  Lizzie  was  embracing  with  innocent  fond- 
ness the  cheek  of  her  father,  whom  she  had 
wakened  by  her  caresses,  but  on  the  counte- 
nance of  Mrs.  M.  were  traces  of  tears.  Lizzie 
looked  in  her  face  very  seriously,  and  then  in 
her  lisping  accents  inquired,  "  You  been  cry- 
ing, ma  ?  what  you  been  crying  'bout  ?  tell 
your  daughter,  ma."  The  request  was  made 
so  imploringly,  and  in  such  sweet  tones  of  af- 
fection, that  Mrs.  M.  replied,  "  Father  was  a 
naughty  boy,  and  threw  mother's  Bible  into 
the  fire  last  night." 

The  little  creature  raised  herself  up  in  an 
attitude  of  dignity,  and  with  her  little  forefinger 
pointing  solemnly  at  her  father,  looked  at  him 
steadfastly,  saying,  "  Do  you  know,  sir,  what 
de  Bible  say  ?" 

"  No,  you  httle  fairy,  what  does  it  say  ?" 

"  When  you  die,  you  be  judged  for  the 
deeds  done  in  the  body,  for  that  was  done  in 
yours !" 

The  father  made  no  reply,  and  Mrs.  M.  took 
her  child  from  the  room  ;  but  years  afterwards, 
when  conviction  of  sin  brought  the  rebellious 
Mr.  M.  to   the  foot  of  the   cross,  he   said  that 


30  AN    AXGEL    VISIT. 

solemn  reproof  of  his  darling  babe  was  the  first 
arrow  which  ever  pierced  his  obdurate  heart. 

One  evening,  not  long  after  the  circumstan- 
ces just  related,  a  very  profligate  companion 
of  Mr.  M.  was  visiting  the  house.  On  all  oc- 
casions when  her  Christian  character  was  not 
compromised  in  so  doing,  Mrs.  M.  endeavored 
to  act  her  part  as  the  mistress  of  the  family,  by 
tendering  the  rites  of  hospitality  to  her  hus- 
band's friends,  however  disagreeable  they 
might  be  to  her.  Politeness  and  grace  always 
characterized  her  as  the  Christian  hostess,  but 
she  never  deferred  a  duty,  or  denied  her  prin- 
ciples. Little  Lizzie  had  been  the  pet  of  her 
father  and  his  friend  for  some  time,  but  the 
hour  for  her  retiring  drew  nigh,  and  the  maid 
came  to  attire  her  for  the  night.  It  was  not 
long  before  she  agam  appeared  dressed  in  her 
flowing  slip  and  Httle  cap,  both  of  the  purest 
white.  Mrs.  M.  requested  the  young  man  to 
excuse  her  while  she  would  attend  the  devo- 
tions of  her  cliild.  As  the  little  creature  ad- 
vanced to  the  side  of  her  mother,  the  young 
man  called  out  to  her,  "  What  I  have  you  be- 
come a  little  parson  ?    ho,   Lizzie  !    you  are 


AX   AXGEL   VISIT.  31 

going  to  preach,  are  you  ?  why,  you  look  like 
a  little  priest."  The  child  took  no  notice  of 
his  "words,  but  giving  him  a  single  glance, 
■walked  steadily  across  the  room  and  knelt  by 
her  mother's  side,  and  Hsped  out  her  artless 
prayer  thus : 

''  0  Lord,  teach  a  Httle  child  to  pray ; — 
Thou  kno-west  there  is  a  young  man  here  mak- 
ing fun  of  me,  and  calling  me  a  little  priest  and 
parson ;  pray  forgive  him  his  -wickedness,  and 
give  him  a  heart  of  flesh,  for  he  is  very  wick- 
ed. God  bless  my  mother,  and  make  my  fa- 
ther a  good  man — amen." 

When  it  is  considered  this  petition  was  ut- 
tered by  a  mere  babe,  who  could  not  yet  speak 
plainly,  its  effect  may  be  better  imagined  than 
described.  And  the  Lord  gave  Himself  a  wit- 
ness in  that  young  child,  for  her  petition 
reached  the  heart  of  him  who  had  ridiculed 
her,  and  left  the  germ  of  many  a  serious 
thought. 

That  she  was  a  child  of  prayer,  was  proved 
not  only  in  her  ready  attention  to  the  outward 
claims  of  devotion,  but  often  even  at  the  tender 
age  above  recorded,  she  has  been  known  to 


32  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

steal  away  to  some  retired  room,  and  there 
pour  out  her  infant  emotions  into  the  bosom  of 
her  Heavenly  Father.  Listening  ears  were 
cognizant  of  these  humble  prayers,  and  even 
while  they  were  uttering,  fond  friends  commit- 
ted them  to  paper,  beheving  that  one  who  so 
enjoyed  communion  with  God  on  earth,  would 
very  soon  be  transplanted  into  His  presence 
forever.  Such  were  some  of  the  petitions  re- 
ferred to  : 

"  Our  Father,  hsten  to  the  prayer  of  a  lit- 
tle child,  and  forgive  all  I  done  wrong  to-day ; 
thank  you  for  my  victuals,  and  drink,  and 
clothes,  and  pray  God  bless  my  mother,  and 
keep  her  a  good  woman,  and  make  my  father 
a  good  man.  Keep  us  this  night  for  Jesus' 
sake,  amen."  Again  :  "  0  Lord,  be  pleased 
to  hear  a  httle  child  pray,  and  teach  her  to 
pray  by  your  Spirit.  Take  away  my  stony 
heart  and  give  me  a  heart  of  flesh,  like  thine, 
0  Lord,  for  Jesus'  sake,  amen."  Evening 
prayer :  "  0  Lord,  hear  me  a  httle  child  be- 
fore I  go  to  sleep ;  forgive  the  sins  of  your  ht- 
tle child,  and  take  her  in  your  arms,  and  keep 
her  from  bad  ways,  not  let  her  be  naughty  to 


AN  ANGEL  VISIT.  33 

her  mother.  My  father,  Oh  God,  not  so  good  ; 
make  him  a  good  man,  amen."  Agam :  "  Our 
Father  in  heaven  I  pray — my  mother  says  I 
must  pray  for  my  father  and  love  him ;  my 
father  cross  to  my  mother  and  me ;  change 
him  to  make  him  good,  and  us  happy ;  forgive 
us  all ;  me  wrong,  make  me  good,  good,  for 
Jesus'  sake,  amen." 

In  all  these  petitions,  she  seemed  fully  to 
realize  the  presence  of  a  Heavenly  Friend, 
and  to  converse  "  as  seeing  Him  who  is  invis- 
ible." Her  faith  led  her  as  quickly  to  repose 
her  son'ows  and  her  desires  in  the  keeping  of 
the  Lord,  as  to  talk  with  her  mother,  or  make 
her  a  request. 

On  the  occasion  of  one  of  those  domestic 
storms  so  frequently  the  result  of  Mr.  M.'s 
unhappy  whims  and  ebulHtions  of  wrath,  Lizzie 
ran  away  in  her  fright  to  another  part  of  the 
house,  and  was  soon  overheard  praying  for  her 
father  thus  : 

"  Heavenly  Father,  a  dear  little  child  has 
hid  herself  from  an  angry  father,  and  come  to 
an  all-searching  God.     When  wilt  thou  take 


34  AN    AXGEL   VISIT. 

his  stony  heart  from  him,  and  give  him  a 
heart  hke  mine  and  thine.  I  am  a  httle  child, 
and  I  am  frightened.  Mj  mother  says  when 
father  and  mother  forsake  me,  then  the  Lord 
will  take  me  up.  Will  you  take  me  ?  for 
Jesus'  sake,  amen." 

Oh,  how  many  bitter  tears,  how  many  long 
days  of  repentance  was  that  father  laying  up 
for  himself  in  thus  wounding  a  lamb  of  Christ's 
flock,  and  an  heir  of  His  kingdom  I  No  doubt 
the  prayers  of  that  little  one  were  garnered  up 
in  the  treasury  of  heaven,  and  the  intercession 
of  a  merciful  High  Priest  rendered  them  ef- 
fectual and  availing. 

It  was  subsequent  to  one  of  these  trying 
scenes  referred  to,  that  Mrs.  M.  was  sitting 
weeping  in  her  sorrow,  with  Lizzie  by  her  side, 
at  that  time  between  five  and  six  years  of  age. 
Laying  her  little  hand  on  her  mother's  arm, 
"  Look,  mother  !"  said  she.  Mrs.  M.  turned 
her  head,  saying,  "  What,  my  dear  ?"  "  The 
cloud,  mother,  and  look  beyond  it — see  the  Sun 
of  Righteousness  with  healing  in  His  wings." 
The  astonished  mother  di-ew  her  child  to  her 
bosom,  folded  her  in  her  arms,  but  overcome 


AN   ANGEL  VISIT.  35 

by  her  emotions,  wept  still  more.  The  angel 
in  her  bosom  inquired,  "  Why  weep,  mother, 
'twill  be  ^6»oc?  hye  and  hyeT  Thus  was  the 
balm  of  consolation  poured  into  a  heart  whose 
only  earthly  comfort  was  in  the  sweet  monitor 
by  her  side.  Blessings  on  little  children ! 
what  were  this  earth  without  them  ?  and  "  of 
such  also  is  the  kingdom  o^  heaven. ^^ 

Although  for  several  years  a  subject  of  sav- 
ing grace,  and  fully  convinced  of  the  truth  and 
Divine  origin  of  Baptist  principles,  Mrs.  M. 
was  so  completely  hedged  in  by  Episcopahan 
barriers,  that  it  was  not  until  Lizzie  was  in  her 
fifth  year  that  she  was  enabled  to  go  forward 
in  the  face  of  ridicule  and  persecution,  and 
own  her  Redeemer  in  Christian  baptism.  Liz- 
zie was  present  on  that  occasion,  and  gazed 
with  serious  wonder  as  she  saw  her  mother 
descend  the  baptismal  font  in  presence  of  a 
crowded  congregation.  She  was  left  in  the 
care  of  a  friend,  and  when  her  mother  emerged 
from  the  watery  grave  and  retired  to  the  ves- 
try from  her  sight,  she  was  afraid  she  had  left 
her  entirely,  and  cried  bitterly.  But  when 
she  was  taken  in  the  evening  to  witness  the 
3* 


36  AN  ANGEL   VISIT. 

celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  she  seemed 
to  understand  distmctlj  its  purpose.  On  her 
return,  her  mother  knelt  in  prayer  with  her  as 
usual,  and  when  she  received  the  kiss  for  the 
night,  she  said  to  her  mother,  "  You  took  the 
cup  of  thanksgiving  to-night,  mother,  did'nt 
you  ?  you  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord  ?" 
Such  was  the  understanding  she  had  of  the 
blessed  ordinance. 

Mrs.  M.  had  long  since  left  the  circles  of 
fashion,  and  professing  Christians  had  begun 
to  mark  her  as  a  disciple  indeed.  Among 
these  was  a  Methodist  lady,  residing  in  an  ad- 
jacent street.  Li  one  of  her  calls  sometime 
after  Mrs.  M.'s  baptism,  she  expressed  great 
gratification  that  one  of  her  rank  should  have 
so  openly  left  the  world,  and  come  out  on  the 
Lord's  side.  "  But  one  thing,"  said  she,  "  has 
marred  my  pleasure  greatly,  when  seeing  you 
pass  my  window  dressed  in  your  sumptuous 
attire.  I  feared  the  change  was  not  in  all 
things  what  it  should  be.  Just  imagine  how 
many  hungry  mouths  and  ragged  forms  such 
articles  as  you  wear  would  make  comfortable." 
Mrs.  M.  meekly  rephed  that  she  dressed  to 


AN    AX  GEL   VISIT.  ^  37 

please  her  husband  ;  she  did  not  wish  to  dis- 
gust him  with  her  rehgion  any  further  than  he 
was  ah'eadj.  She  intended,  however,  as  soon 
as  her  costly  turbans  were  worn  out,  to  substi- 
tute ui  their  place  a  plainer  and  cheaper  style 
of  cap.  Very  soon  Lizzie  looked  up  to  her 
mother  and  made  the  inquiry  usual  with  her 
whenever  company  was  present ;  "  May  I 
speak,  ma  ?''  And  would  not  this  habit  of 
Lizzie's  convey  a  lesson  to  many  little  girls 
who  too  often  intrude  their  childish  remarks 
into  the  conversation  of  persons  older  than 
themselves  ?  Let  such  learn  from  "  gentle 
Lizzie,"  who  never  spoke  in  the  presence  of 
visitors  without  being  first  addressed,  or  re- 
questing leave.  On  this  occasion  the  permis- 
sion was  given.  To  the  surprise  of  both  her 
mother  and  the  lady,  she  turned  to  the  latter, 

saying,  "  Mrs.  L ,  do  you  look  in  tJie  glass 

when  you  tie  that  bow  in  your  bonnet  ?"  Mrs. 
L.  dressed  very  plainly,  but  exceedingly  prim, 
neat,  and  in  perfect  accordance  with  the  laws, 
of  fashion.  Lizzie  had  noticed  that  she  always 
wore  her  bonnet-strings  tied  on  one  side  of  her 
chin,  and  in  a  very  fastidious  style.     Her  keen 


38  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

perceptions  discerned  the  inconsistency  of  a 
lady  who  was  so  very  particular  about  the  tie 
of  a  ribbon,  reproving  her  mother  for  style  in 
dress,  therefore  she  made  the  inquiry  we  have 
related.  "  Thank  you  for  the  reproof,  my 
dear;"  was  Mrs.  L.'s  Christian  reply,  and 
Lizzie  added,  "  'Cause,  Mrs.  L.,  my  mother 
never  looks  in  the  glass  when  she  puts  on  her 
turbans."  Her  fihal  affection  was  quite  wound- 
ed by  the  idea  that  her  mother  could  do  any 
thing  wrong,  or  needed  the  slightest  reproof. 

Another  incident  occurring  about  this  time, 
afforded  proof  how  much  her  thoughts  turned 
to  heavenly  things.  A  very  good  and  venera- 
ble deacon  of  the  church  of  which  Mrs.  M. 
was  a  member,  sometimes  called  on  her  for 
the  purpose  of  spiritual  conversation.  Durmg 
one  of  these  visits,  the  topic  discussed  was  the 
different  measures  of  grace  enjoyed  by  indi^dd- 
uals  on  earth,  and  the  degrees  of  blessedness 
imparted  in  heaven.  After  hstening  for  a  long 
time,  with  interest  beamuig  from  her  young 
face,  Lizzie  whispered  her  request  to  be  per- 
mitted to  speak.  This  was  granted,  and  the 
dear  child  looked  up  affectionately  to  the  old 


AX   AXGEL    VISIT.  39 

gentleman,  saying,  "  Mr.  W ,  you  a  bushel, 

because  jou  are  a  good  old  man ;  Mr.  S , 

(their  minister,)  he  a  ^^t^c/c ;  my  mother,  she  a 
quart;  and  me  a  teacup;  because  me  loves 
Jesus  too;  and  we  be  all  full  up;"  suiting 
the  action  of  her  little  hand  to  the  words. 

The  good  old  man  caught  the  child  in  his 
arms,  and  embracing  her  fervently,  said, 
''  Bless  your  httle  heart,  and  is  that  the  way 
you  explain  the  measures  of  grace  ?  The  Lord 
grant  that  you  may  indeed  he  full  up .'" 

In  connection  with  this,  comes  up  a  reminis- 
cence of  Lizzie  when  in  her  seventh  year.  For 
several  years  an  intimacy  had  existed  between 

Mrs.  M.'s  family  and  that  of  Dr.  A ,  a 

very  powerful  and  popular  preacher  of  London. 
He  was  remarkably  fond  of  children,  and  often 
invited  them  to  his  house,  permitting  them  to 
run  at  large  through  his  spacious  gardens,  and 
in  the  midst  of  their  plays,  he  would  seat  him- 
self beneath  some  pleasant  shade  tree,  and  call 
them  around  him.  Then  he  would  ask  them 
questions  of  a  religious  nature  in  a  very  invit- 
ing form,  and  encourage  them  to  inquire  any 
thin^z  their  childish  imairinations  desired.     Liz- 


40  AN  ANGEL   VISIT. 

zie  was  often  at  these  pleasant  gatherings,  and 
would  return  delighted  to  rehearse  to  her  mo- 
ther the  happiness  she  had  enjoyed.  On  the 
occasion  to  which  we  allude,  however,  she  said 
nothing  concerning  the  conversations  which 
had  taken  place.  A  few  evenings  afterwards, 
her  mother  took  her  as  usual  to  Dr.  A.'s 
weekly  lecture,  as  the  church  was  very  near 
her  residence.  His  discourse  on  this  evening 
was  on  the  rehgious  training  of  children,  and 
in  connection  with  the  subject,  said  "they 
thought  far  more  deeply  on  rehgious  topics 
than  the  generality  of  persons  supposed."  In 
illustration,  he  alluded  to  the  company  of  httle 
ones  who  had  met  under  his  roof  the  few  days 
pre\ious,  in  this  manner. 

"  As  I  was  looking  about  on  the  dear  little 
forms  dispersed  hither  and  thither  before  me 
in  their  innocent  sports,  and  sat  musing  on  the 
worth  of  their  immortal  souls,  a  very  httle  girl 
came  to  me,  and  looking  up  in  my  face  with 

an  expression  of  earnestness,  said, '  Dr.  A , 

if  God  could  do  all  things,  why  did'nt  he  keep 
Adam  and  Eve  from  sinning?  then  Jesus 
Christ  would'nt  have  been  killed.'  "    Here  Liz- 


AN  ANGEL  VISIT.  41 

zie  touched  her  mother's  arm,  and  whispered, 
"  I  asked  that,  ma."  Mrs.  M.  bade  Lizzie 
"  hush,"  and  the  preacher  went  on.  "  I  said, 
'  dear  child,  "wait  until  jou  are  older ;  time 
will  show  ;'  but  did  any  of  you,  my  hearers, 
ask  me  that  question,  I  would  reply,  '  for  the 
glory  of  God,  to  manifest  His  glory — remember 
to  show  forth  His  glory  to  all  the  world,  and 
to  all  eternity.'  "  Again  Lizzie  whispered  to 
her  mother,  "  AMiy  could'nt  he  tell  tiie  that, 
ma?  J  could  understand  him.  " 

Lizzie  was  but  six  years  old,  when,  one  day 
returning  from  school,  she  found  a  poor  but 
very  clean  looking  woman  in  the  streets,  with 
an  infant  in  her  arms  about  nine  months  old. 
She  appeared  pale  and  very  sad,  and  looked 
as  if  she  did  not  know  which  way  to  go,  or 
what  to  do.  Lizzie  went  up  to  her,  saying, 
"  Poor  woman !  do  you  want  any  thing  ?" 

"  Yes,  dear,  I  want  food  for  my  three  hun- 
gry children,  and  sick  husband  at  home." 

"  Well,  come,  go  to  my  mother's  house,  and 
she'll  give  you  some.  I'll  show  you  where  it 
is — come." 


42  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

The  distressed  woman  followed  the  little 
prattler  to  the  door  of  her  home,  which  she 
opened,  and  ran  forward  into  the  parlor  full 
speed  to  tell  her  mother,  but  seeing  her  father, 
stopped,  and  very  quickly  left  the  room.  Mr. 
M.,  judging  from  her  manner  she  had  some 
object  in  vieAV,  stepped  hghtlj  after,  and  over- 
heard her  in  a  low  tone  talking  thus :  "  Mj 
father  is  there  now — he  is  a  very  good  man, 
but  not  quite  so  good  as  my  mother.  He  don't 
like  my  mother  to  give  away  so  much,  so  you 
must  come  again  when  my  father  is  not  here, 
for  he  might  get  angry  with  my  mother.  Now 
don't  you  think  my  father  is  a  bad  man,  for  he 
is  a  very  good  man."  Then  kissing  the  baby, 
she  says,  "  Oh  you,  you  pretty  baby !  you 
sweet  baby !  here's  all  I  got,"  handing  her 
two  farthings,  "  but  it'll  buy  a  roll."  The 
woman  left  the  door,  and  Lizzie  returned  to  the 
parlor.  Her  father  being  in  one  of  his  gra- 
cious moods  that  day,  was  highly  amused  at 
the  description  his  little  daughter  had  given 
of  him,  and  immediately  began  to  teaze  her, 
for  when  in  a  good  humor  he  was  very  fond  of 
her. 


AN   ANGEL   VISIT.  43 

"So,  Miss  Lizzie,  '  your  father  is  a  very 
good  man,  but  not  quite  so  good  as  your  mo- 
ther !'  a  fine  character  for  a  little  girl  to  give 
her  father!"  Poor  Lizzie  stood  quite  con- 
founded, not  having  dreamed  that  her  father 
had  hstened.  "  But  however,  your  father  is 
on  the  whole  a  very  good  man — ^you  thmk  so, 
Lizzie  ?  Well,  well,  I  must  see  this  poor  wo- 
man that  you  have  frightened  away  because 
your  father  is  here.  Go  tell  her  to  come  back 
again."  Lizzie  looked  inquiringly  at  her  mo- 
ther, as  if  wondering  if  her  father  could  be  in 
earnest.  Mrs.  M.  nodded  her  assent,  and 
Lizzie  ran  to  the  door  and  looked  out,  but  the 
woman  had  gone.  The  child  remembering 
that  she  had  given  her  money  to  buy  a  roll, 
ran  to  a  baker's  shop  which  was  near,  and  find- 
ing her  there,  told  her  to  come  back,  for  her 
father  wanted  to  see  her.  The  poor  woman 
wondering  at  the  interest  manifested  in  her  by 
so  young  a  child,  followed  her  httle  guide,  who 
ran  trippingly  to  her  father,  saying,  "  She's 
come,  father,  and  you  can't  think  what  a  sweet 
little  baby  she  has ;  the  prettiest  baby  you 
ever  saw!"  Mr.  M.  finding  the  woman 
4 


44  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

cleanly,  and  her  babe  really  interesting,  had 
her  sit  do^Yn,  and  made  a  minute  inquiry  into 
her  affairs,  which  seemed  quite  distressing. 
Her  immediate  wants  were  reUeved,  and  ar- 
rangements made  for  the  benefit  of  her  suffer- 
ing family ;  and  the  poor  woman  seemed  from 
that  day  to  consider  Lizzie  as  an  angel  sent 
from  heaven,  while  Lizzie,  on  her  part,  scarcely 
knew  bounds  to  her  dehght. 


AN  ANGEL  VISIT.  45 


CHAPTER    III. 

IXCIDEXT3    OF   SCHOOL   LIFE. 

A  CHILD  at  home  and  a  child  at  school, 
must  be  the  same  in  either  place.  The  boy 
or  girl  -who  is  respectful  and  obedient  to  pa- 
rents, will  be  the  same  to  teachers  ;  but  a  dis- 
obedient and  imruly  child  at  home,  cannot  be 
a  good  scholar.  Lizzie  was  gentle  and  beloved 
at  home,  and  at  school  it  was  the  same.  Dili- 
gent in  her  studies,  and  silent  and  respectful 
to  her  teacher,  you  might  have  looked  m  at 
Mrs.  O.'s  school  at  any  hour,  and  ''  gentle  Liz- 
zie "  would  soon  have  attracted  your  eye. 
There  she  sat,  with  her  broad,  high  forehead, 
her  large  blue  eyes  resting  thoughtfully  on  her 
book,  and  her  sweet  lips  parted,  as  if  to  ask 
the  meaning  of  what  she  read.  Now,  she  is 
at  the  head  of  a  class  of  girls  larger  and  prob- 


46  AN  ANGEL  VISIT.  • 

ably  older  than  herself — ^her  eye  is  lighted  up 
with  animation,  and  her  whole  attention  centres 
in  the  explanation  being  given  by  her  teachers. 
Now,  again,  she  is  at  play,  and  her  innocent 
gayety  never  intrudes  on  the  happiness  of  her 
schoolmates,  but  love  shows  itself  in  every  act. 
Is  it  any  wonder  that  Lizzie  M.  was  the  pet 
and  favorite  of  both  teacher  and  pupils  ? 

But  poor  Lizzie  was  not  without  her  trials, 
even  at  school.  The  best  have  their  enemies, 
and  Lizzie  was  not  an  exception.  Among 
Mrs.  O.'s  pupils,  was  a  girl  of  low  family,  vul- 
gar manners  and  dull  intellect.  Her  parents 
had  suddenly  become  wealthy,  and  supposed 
that  refinement  and  learning  could  be  as  quick- 
ly obtained.  This  girl  soon  imbibed  a  great 
disUke  to  Lizzie,  because  she  was  a  general 
favorite,  and  became  envious  of  her  superiority 
in  manners  and  learning.  Though  several 
years  older  than  Lizzie,  she  was  not  ashamed 
to  annoy  her  in  every  possible  way,  and  en- 
deavor to  destroy  her  credit  in  the  school. 
Her  whole  aim  was  to  dress  in  a  style  more 
showy  and  expensive  than  any  other  girl  in 
school,  and  she  despised  Lizzie  because  of  her 


AN  AXGEL  VISIT.  47 

plain  and  simple  attire,  though  it  was  in  reality 
more  genteel  and  tasteful  than  her  own. 

As  has  been  said  before,  Mrs.  M.  was  a  lady 
of  fashion,  and  accustomed  to  spend  her  money 
just  as  she  pleased.  But  when  she  became  a 
Chi-istian,  she  found  that  the  silver  and  gold 
were  the  Lord's,  and  that  she  must  account  to 
him  for  the  manner  in  which  she  used  it.  She 
saw  there  were  Bibles  needed,  and  missiona- 
ries, and  chm^ches,  and  the  poor  and  the  igno- 
rant had  to  be  fed,  and  clothed,  and  instructed, 
and  she  dared  not  apply  her  money  to  any 
unwise  purpose.  So,  very  soon  after  her  pro- 
fession, she  adopted  a  system  which  economized 
her  expenses  considerably,  and  left  her  much 
more  to  spend  in  the  cause  of  charity.  One 
of  these  methods  of  economy  was  the  cutting 
and  refitting  of  her  own  partially  worn  dresses, 
as  school  frocks  for  her  httle  daughter.  This 
fact  Lizzie's  enemy,  Sarah  Loder,  had  ascer- 
tained, and  made  it  the  subject  of  daily  annoy- 
ance, taunting  Lizzie  on  every  occasion.  It 
was  Mrs.  M.'s  purpose,  about  this  time,  to 
place  Lizzie  at  a  boarding  school  in  the  coun- 
try ;  and  anticipating  tliis  change,  she  made 
4* 


48  AN   ANGEL    VISIT. 

several  purchases  in  articles  of  clothing,  adapt- 
ed to  the  future  use  of  her  daughter. 

A  few  days  after  the  making  of  some  of 
these  articles,  Sarah  threw  at  Lizzie  as  she 
made  her  appearance  on  the  play  ground,  her 
old  taunt — "  Here's  the  girl  who  always  wears 
her  mother's  old  gowns.  Here's  the  second 
hand  clothing  shop !" 

"  No,  I  don't,"  said  Lizzie  with  more  spirit 
than  was  usual  with  her,  "  for  I've  got  a  good 
many  new  frocks  ;  and  silk  ones,  too." 

"  Yes,  I  s'pose  they're  some  of  your  mo- 
ther's old  ones  made  new;  ha  I  ha!  ha!" 
laughed  the  \Tilgar  girl. 

"  No  such  thing  ;  they  are  new,  and  I  shall 
wear  one  of  them  next  Sunday,  and  carry  my 
new  parasol,  too  !" 

"  We'll  see  !  we'll  see  !  ha !  Miss  Lizzie's 
coming  out !" 

School  adjourned  at  the  usual  hour,  and  be- 
fore Lizzie  had  time  to  reach  home,  Sarah  sud- 
denly intruded  herself  into  Mrs.  M.'s  presence, 
and  with  her  usual  rudeness  called  out,  "  Mrs. 
M. ;  may  I  see  Lizzie's  new  frocks  ?" 

"  No,  Sarah  ;   it  if?  not  my  habit  to  expose 


AN  ANGEL   VISIT.  49 

either  her  wardrobe  or  mj  own.  How  did  you 
know  she  had  any  new  frocks  ?" 

^'  Oh,  she  told  us  so  in  school,  to  be  sure." 

"  Well,  you  may  go,  for  you  cannot  see 
them." 

Mrs.  M.  felt  much  grieved  at  what  she  sup- 
posed a  new  trait  in  Lizzie's  character,  never 
knowing  her  to  express  any  particular  interest 
in  such  matters.  When  Lizzie  returned  and 
took  her  usual  seat  by  her  side,  Mrs.  M.  in- 
quired, "  My  daughter,  how  came  you  to  boast 
of  your  new  frocks  in  school,  to-day  ?" 

"  Mother,  I  did  not  boast ;  but  Sarah  Loder 
is  always  teazing  me  about  wearing  your  old 
gowns,  and  to-day  she  began  again,  and  then 
I  said,  '  Well,  Sarah,  I  am  going  to  wear  a 
new  frock  Sunday,  and  you'll  see  it.'  " 

No  more  was  said  ;  but  when  Sunday  came, 
Mrs.  M.  purposely  laid  out  a  very  neat  little 
chintz,  as  her  daughter's  dress  for  the  day. 
When  Lizzie  saw  this,  she  inquired,  "  Am  I 
not  going  to  wear  my  neio  silk  to-day,  ma  ?" 

"  No,  my  dear,  you  are  to  wear  this  chintz." 

"  Not  my  silk,  mother  ?" 

"  No,  my  dear." 


50  AN  ANGEL   VISIT. 

Lizzie  then  burst  into  tears. 

"  What  are  you  crying  for,  my  child  ?" 

"  Oh,  mother,  I  have  told  a  story  !  I  told 
Sarah  Loder  I  should  wear  my  new  silk  to-day, 
and  my  parasol,  and  she  will  call  me  a  story 
teller:' 

"  Never  mbid,  my  daughter ;  all  you  have 
to  do,  is,  to  obey  me." 

Mrs.  M.  never  argued  a  case  with  her  chil- 
dren, but  always  taught  them  to  obey  without 
asking  why,  or  wherefore.  So  she  dressed 
Lizzie  and  took  her  to  church,  saying  no  more 
on  the  subject.  But  in  the  afternoon,  know^- 
ing  the  ridicule  Lizzie  would  have  to  endure 
during  the  week,  and  being  miwilhng  to  subject 
her  to  greater  temptation  .than  her  years  could 
bear,  she  put  on  the  silk  dress,  and  also  gave 
her  the  parasol,  thinking  she  had  been  suffi- 
ciently punished  for  her  boasting.  During  the 
exchange  of  clothing,  she  said,  "  Lizzie,  do  you 
know  you  were  very,  very  WTong  in  permitting 
any  one  to  tempt  you  to  boast  of  your  fine 
clothes  ?  Why  should  you  care  if  they  did 
say  you  wore  old  clothes  ?  The  money  I  save 
in  this  way  helps  to  clothe  many  a  poor  child 


AN   AXGEL    VISIT.  51 

who  has  nothing  but  rags.  Your  frocks  are 
quite  as  good  as  those  of  other  children,  if  they 
are  made  up  second  hand.  But  there  is  one 
dress  you  forgot  to  boast  of." 

"  What  is  that,  mother  ?"  said  Lizzie. 

"  Your  shroud,  my  child." 

"  Shroud — what  is  that,  ma  ?" 

"  Have  you  ever  seen  any  one  in  their  cof- 
fin ?" 

''  No,  mother."  (Mrs.  M.  knew  that  she 
had  never  looked  on  death,  but  made  these  in- 
quiries for  the  purpose  of  instruction.)  "  \yhen 
persons  die,  they  are  dressed  in  their  grave 
clothes,  sometimes  called  shrouds,  sometimes 
winding  sheets.  This  is  their  last  dress,  and 
they  wear  it  in  the  grave.  This  you  had  not 
seen,  and  did  not  think  of;  but  when  you  look 
at  your  fine  clothes,  remember,  Lizzie,  you  can- 
not wear  them  in  the  grave  ;  and  I  want  you 
to  learn  that  Uttle  hymn  of  Dr.  Watts',  begin- 
ning, 

'  ATTiy  should  our  garments,  made  to  hide 
Our  parents'  shame,  provoke  our  pride  ?'  &c." 

Lizzie  wept  freely,  and  in  going  to  church 
her  dress   seemed   to  have  no  share  in  her 


52  AN   AXGEL    VISIT. 

thoughts,  not  even  in  passing  the  door  vrhere 
Sarah  stood  gaping  at  the  passers  by.  But 
Mrs.  M.  noticed  her  malicious  expression  of 
countenance  as  she  looked  at  Lizzie's  really 
beautiful  frock,  and  she  pitied  the  girl  whose 
mind  cherished  so  base  a  passion. 

From  that  time,  Lizzie  never  showed  any 
pride  in  her  dress.  As  the  seasons  came 
round,  and  her  mother  would  remark,  "  I  must 
procure  Lizzie  some  new  clothing,"  she  never 
inquired,  "  What  will  you  get,  mother  ?"  or 
expressed  any  preference  for  one  article  more 
than  another.  But  w^hen  the  purchases  were 
made,  and  shown  to  her,  she  would  remark, 
"  This  is  nice  !  this  will  be  comfortable  !"  and 
similar  expressions. 

Often,  after  the  afiair  above  mentioned, 
would  Mrs.  M.  take  her  httle  daughter  to  walk 
in  the  beautiful  grave-yards,  and  point  out  to 
her  how  narrow  were  the  homes  appointed  for 
all  living,  and  how  many  little  graves  were 
there,  no  larger  than  herself.  And  as  funerals 
passed  their  dwelling,  she  would  explam  to  her 
the  nature  of  death,  its  entire  cutting  off  from 
earth,  and  the  arrangements  made  for  the  body 


AN   AXGEL   VISIT.  53 

afterward,  until  Lizzie  perfectly  understood  the 
solemn  event. 

The  aiFair  of  the  new  frock  did  not  lessen 
the  desire  of  Lizzie's  enemy  at  school  to  tor- 
ment her,  it  rather  added  fuel  to  the  flame. 
It  happened,  not  long  after,  the  teacher  missed 
a  silver  thimble  and  a  gold  pencil.  Search 
was  made  for  several  days,  and  one  morning 
Sarah  went  to  the  teacher  before  school,  and 
whispered  to  her  that  she  knew  where  her 
things  were.  "  And  where  are  they,  Sarah  ?" 
was  the  reply. 

"  Why,  yesterday,  ui  recess,  Lizzie  Mat- 
thews opened  her  desk  to  get  something,  and 
I  saw  your  things  in  the  comer." 

"  I  am  not  willing  to  beheve  Lizzie  has  taken 
them,  but  I  shall  have  the  matter  searched 
out." 

When  Lizzie  came  to  school,  her  teacher 
called  her  aside,  and  told  her  of  the  charge 
laid  against  her.  "  Your  things  in  my  desk, 
Mrs.  0  !  I'm  sure  I  never  saw  them,  and  how 
can  they  be  there  ?" 

'■^  Well,  Lizzie,  examine  your  desk,  and  then 
we  shall  know." 


64  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

Lizzie  opened  her  desk,  lifted  out  her  books 
and  needlework,  and  lo,  in  one  corner  lay  the 
thimble  and  pencil !  On  seeing  them,  she 
started  with  a  look  of  horror,  a  flush,  and  then 
a  deadly  paleness  overspread  her  face,  and 
she  leaned  upon  her  desk  and  burst  into  tears. 
The  teacher  remarked  to  Lizzie  that  she  would 
call  on  her  mother,  and  hoped  the  affair  would 
prove  to  be  an  accident. 

When  the  classes  were  called  up  for  recita- 
tion, poor  Lizzie's  distress  was  so  great  that 
she  could  not  articulate  a  word,  and  the  teacher 
told  her  she  might  go  home.  She  reached  her 
mother's  room  nearly  fainting,  and  it  was  some 
time  before  she  recovered  herself  sufficiently 
to  tell  the  story  of  her  grief. 

There  was  a  great  outcry  that  day  when 
pla}^  hours  arrived,  and  the  pet  of  the  school 
was  known  to  have  gone  home  in  disgrace. 
Play  was  forgotten  in  the  excitement  of  this 
singular  event.  Tumultuous  voices  mingled 
their  words,  among  which  might  be  heard  Sarah 
Loder's,  bawHng  above  the  rest,  "  Great  things 
this  stuck  up  Lizzie  Matthews  is — turned  out 


AX   ANGEL    VISIT.  5B 

a  reg'Iar  thief  at  last — -wonder  -who's  the  best 
in  school  now !" 

"  I'm  sure  /never  thought  her  such  a  para- 
gon ;  I  could'nt  see  what  Mrs.  0.  and  the 
girls  always  made  such  a  pet  of  her  for ;"  said 
an  affected  Miss  just  in  her  teens,  with  a  curl 
of  her  lip  and  a  toss  of  her  head. 

Here  several  voices  sung  out  together,  "  We 
don't  care  I  Lizzie  Matthews  is  no  thief,  and 
never  will  be  ;  should'nt  wonder  if  somebody 
we  know  was  found  out  after  a  while.  Guess 
Sarah  Loder  knows  better  than  Lizzie  Mat- 
thews how  they  got  into  the  desk  !" 

Just  then  the  bell  rang,  and  the  enraged 
girl  had  only  time  to  cast  a  look  of  defiance  at 
the  speakers,  as  they  marched  in  to  their  re- 
spective seats. 

When  school  adjourned  for  the  day,  Mrs.  0. 
called  on  Mrs.  M.,  and  related  the  circum- 
stance. When  Mrs.  M.  acquainted  her  with 
the  treatment  Sarah  had  always  given  to  Lizzie, 
and  the  recent  affair  of  the  dress,  the  teacher 
could  not  but  think  Lizzie  innocent.  She  had 
never  violated  the  truth  in  a  single  instance, 
and  therefore  when  she  declared  her  innocence, 


66  AN   AXGEL    VISIT. 

she  was  believed.  When  the  teacher  left,  Liz- 
zie said  to  her  mother,  "  What  do  you  think, 
ma,  I  shoiild  want  with  such  things  ?  you  al- 
ways give  me  what  I  need,  and  if  I  did  want 
to  take  any  thing,  I  should  he  sure  Grod  ivould 
see  me,  and  how  could  I  do  it  ?"  Mrs.  M.  told 
Lizzie  to  trust  in  her  Heavenly  Father,  and  he 
would  make  all  right.  She  wept  so  much 
about  the  affair  that  she  was  quite  sick. 

Several  days  after,  she  returned  to  finish 
her  term  of  tuition,  and  was  gladly  received  by 
the  teacher  and  pupils,  for  her  innocence  was 
evident.  Sarah  Loder  had  been  detected  in 
the  act  of  putting  those  very  articles  into  her 
own  pocket,  and  the  fact  that  she  had  been  the 
first  to  discover  them  when  missing  before, 
rendered  her  guilt  evident,  and  she  was  brought 
to  confess  that  she  had  accused  Lizzie  falsely. 
She  was  sent  from  school  in  disgrace,  and  thus 
ended  these  sore  trials  of  Lizzie's  gentle  spu-it. 


AN  ANGEL  VISIT.  57 


CHAPTER    IV. 


CLOSING   SCEXES. 


The  time  came  that  Lizzie  was  to  enter  a 
boarding  school  for  a  term  of  years.  The  mo- 
ther had  been  very  careful  to  select  teachers 
of  piety  and  reputed  kindness,  and  though  the 
separation  was  very  hard  for  Lizzie  to  bear, 
yet  when  convinced  that  it  was  for  her  im- 
provement in  health  and  learning,  and  more 
than  all,  that  it  was  the  ivisli  of  her  mother^  she 
very  cheerfully  acquiesced.  The  hohdays  oc- 
curring but  twice  in  a  year,  she  saw  her  mo- 
ther but  seldom,  but  her  governess  frequently 
wrote,  informing  her  of  Lizzie's  health  and 
general  progress.  Mrs.  M.  also  wrote  fre- 
quently to  her  daughter,  counselling  and  en- 
couraging her  with  all  the  fervency  of  a  mo- 
ther's love.     Lizzie  could  not  write  very  well 


58  AN  ANGEL  VISIT. 

when  she  entered  the  school,  but  her  governess 
always  asked  her  when  writing,  if  she  had  any 
message  to  her  mother.  Her  answer  was  al- 
ways nearly  the  same.  "  Tell  ma  to  pray  for 
me  every  day ;  I  pray  for  her ;  tell  her  I  love 
Jesus,  and  I  read  my  Bible  every  day." 

The  routine  of  a  boarding  school  would  not 
afford  a  history  particularly  interesting,  espe- 
cially in  the  life  of  one  so  quiet  as  Lizzie  M. 
It  was  diversified  only  by  her  returns  at  the 
holidays,  and  occasional  calls  from  her  parents. 
There  was  one  feature  of  her  holiday  visits  to 
which  she  always  looked  forward  with  pleasure 
— the  privilege  of  accompanying  her  mother  in 
her  visits  to  the  poor,  and  in  her  rounds  of 
tract  distributing.  Often  while  her  mother 
was  conversmg  and  praying  with  the  heads  of 
the  family,  would  Lizzie  slip  into  the  next  room, 
or  the  hall,  or  yard,  as  might  be,  to  preach 
Christ  in  her  childish  manner  to  the  children 
of  the  family.  And  she  never  left  without 
giving  them  a  portion  of  money  saved  for  the 
purpose.  When  she  knew  of  any  suffering 
family,  she  would  ask  permission  to  fill  her  ht- 
tle  basket  with  provisions,  and  taking  a  bundle 


AN   ANGEL   VISIT.  59 

of  clothing  in  one  arm  and  the  basket  on  the 
other,  trot  along  to  dispense  her  charity. 
Hence  you  would  often  see  as  she  approached 
the  dwellings,  children  larger  than  herself 
running  to  meet  her,  or  calling  to  their  parents, 
"0,  there  is  sweet  httle  Miss  Lizzie  coming !" 
and  many  an  aged  form  has  called  down  bless- 
ings on  the  head  of  "  the  little  angel." 

A  few  years  passed  on,  Lizzie  delighting  her 
mother  by  her  improvement  and  her  sweet 
epistles  of  love,  written  in  the  overflowing  of 
filial  aifection,  and  giving  evidence  that  the 
grace  of  God  was  filhng  her  young  spirit  with 
its  blessed  influences.  And  then  a  change 
drew  nigh,  and  Lizzie  was  to  bear  a  severer 
trial  tlian  she  had  ever  dreamed  could  cross 
her  path. 

Her  father's  health  had  been  gradually  fail- 
ing for  many  months,  and  as  the  last  hope  for 
lii'e,  the  physicians  ordered  him  to  undertake 
a  voyage  at  sea.  Mrs.  M.  and  the  younger 
children  were  to  accompany  him,  while  Lizzie 
should  remain  at  school,  expecting  to  complete 
her  term  about  the  time  of  their  return. 

"  We  shall  not  be  absent  but  two  or  three 


60  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

months,  my  daughter,  and  then  you  will  come 
home  to  remain  with  mother  all  the  time.  And 
we  hope  father  will  be  better,  and  if  the  Lord 
pleases,  we  shall  be  very  happy." 

"  And  then,  mother,  my  studies  will  be 
completed,  and  I  can  assist  you  in  taking  care 
of  little  Emma  and  Henry,  and  I  can  read  to 
father,  you  know." 

Thus,  with  pleasant  anticipations  of  the  fu- 
ture, did  mother  and  daughter  separate,  never 
to  look  upon  each  other  again  till  "  the  sea 
shall  give  up  her  dead,  and  they  that  are  in 
the  graves  shall  come  forth." 

The  noble  ship  set  sail  with  fair  winds  and 
dehghtful  weather,  and  ploughed  the  surging 
weaves  merrily,  while  the  company  on  board 
were  animated  with  hope  for  the  future,  and 
happiness  for  the  present.  But  alas !  in  a  few 
days  their  pleasant  skies  were  shrouded  in 
gloom,  their  fair  winds  changed  to  a  tempest, 
and  such  a  storm  beat  around  them,  as  appalled 
the  heart  of  their  old  weather  beaten  captain 
himself.  Tossed  hither  and  thither  at  the 
mercy  of  the  winds  and  waves,  human  skill 
availed  them  nothing  in  that  fearful  hour,  and 


AX   AXGEL   VISIT.  61 

thej  became  at  last  completely  TN'recked  on  a 
coast  far  from  the  one  to  which  they  were 
bomid.  How  many  prayers  went  up  from  the 
dwellers  in  that  doomed  vessel,  God  alone  can 
tell,  or  how  many  in  the  darkness  of  those 
awful  nights  looked  to  Christ  as  their  only 
refuge. 

The  long  absence  of  the  ship  occasioned 
great  anxiety,  but  at  last  the  news  of  the  wreck 
reached  England,  and  all  on  board  were  re- 
ported lost.  We  cannot  describe  the  emotions 
of  poor  Lizzie  on  being  informed  that  she  was 
an  orphan,  and  alone.  Such  sorrows  are  too 
deep  for  language  to  depict ;  but  one  thing  is 
certain,  her  faith  was  unshaken,  or  how  could 
her  frail  nature  have  sustained  so  great  a 
shock  ?  it  was  one  which  would  have  stunned 
older  and  stouter  hearts.  She  was  but  a  ten- 
der lamb,  whom  the  rougher  winds  of  heaven 
had  scarcely  ever  visited,  yet  no  angry  repin- 
ings,  no  outbreaks  of  rebellion  were  hers,  but 
with  the  meekness  of  a  true  disciple  she  prayed 
for  resignation.  Her  teachers  exerted  all  their 
powers  of  sympathy,  and  released  her  from 
study,  using  all  their  kindest  efforts  to  soothe 


62  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

her,  till  time  could  in  some  measure  heal  the 
wound.  But  though  Lizzie's  spirit  struggled 
to  bear  up,  her  physical  frame  was  too  frail  to 
bear  the  conflict.  Her  nights  were  almost 
sleepless,  and  her  food  scarcely  partaken. 
"  You  must  eat,  Lizzie  dear,"  said  her  kind 
governess,  "  or  you  will  die."     "  I  would  eat, 

Mrs. ,  but  when  I  try  to  swallow,  I  think 

of  my  mother  and  little  brothers,  and  it  chokes 
me  so  that  I  cannot;"  was  her  daily  reply. 
She  was  taken  frequently  to  ride,  and  sent  to 
friends  in  the  neighborhood  to  change  the 
scene,  but  it  was  all  the  same.  Her  grief  was 
wearing  out  her  life,  and  she  had  not  strength 
for  the  renewal  of  her  energies. 

Several  months  passed,  with  no  improvement 
in  Lizzie's  pale  face  and  Aveary  step.  Her  tall 
and  slender  form  began  to  droop  hke  a  blighted 
flower,  and  physicians  gave  it  their  opinion  that 
she  was  in  a  hopeless  decline,  from  the  influence 
of  mental  suffering.  Not  long  after  this  de- 
cision, her  teacher  one  day  entered  her  apart- 
ment with  a  letter  in  her  hand,  and  sitting 
doAvn,  said  in  a  kind  tone,  '•  Lizzie,  dear,  I 
hope  I  have  good  news  for  you.     This  letter  is 


AN   AXGEL    VISIT.  63 

from  America."  With  a  brightened  eye  and 
a  flushed  cheek,  Lizzie  extended  her  hand  to 
receive  it,  but  her  teacher  held  it  a  moment, 
saying,  "  Now,  dearest,  be  calm,  remember 
you  are  not  very  strong."  Lizzie  smiled,  say- 
ing, ''  I  hope  God  will  give  me  strength ;"  but 
when  she  recognized  the  handwriting  of  her 
mother^  she  was  nearly  overcome.  On  open- 
ing the  letter,  she  found  its  date  more  recent 
than  had  yet  been  received,  and  it  was  very 
brief,  reading  thus : 

"  My  dearly  beloved  daughter, — 

Long,  long  have  I  wished  to  hear  from 
you,  my  darling,  and  from  that  home  which  is 
now  so  far  distant.  God  has  sorely  afflicted 
me,  my  child,  but  still '  He  is  good,  He  doeth 
all  things  well.'  If  I  cannot  now  see  why  He 
has  dealt  thus  with  me,  I  have  His  promise 
that  I  shall  know  even  as  I  am  known,  when 
my  spirit  reaches  that  world  where  all  is  light 
and  knowledge.  I  have  written  several  times, 
but  not  one  letter  have  I  received  from  you, 
and  I  have  almost  despaired  of  ever  seeing 


64  AN  ANGEL  VISIT. 

your  handwriting  again.  But  in  the  hope  this 
■will  reach ^ou,  I  will  tell  you  a  part  of  my  his- 
tory since  I  left  the  shores  of  dear  old  Eng- 
land, and  you,  my  darhng  child. 

I  cannot  rehearse  events  paii:icularly ;  you 
have  probably  heard  that  our  vessel  was  beaten 
about  by  storms  and  finally  wrecked,  with  the 
bare  escape  of  our  Hves.  Clothing  and  money, 
all  were  washed  overboard.  During  nearly  all 
the  voyage,  I  was  so  ill  as  to  be  confined  to 
my  berth,  and  unable  to  attend  on  your  father 
or  the  children.  We  were  picked  up  some- 
where, I  cannot  tell  you  the  place,  and  towed 
into  the  harbor  of  N.  The  people  were  very 
kind  to  us,  and  we  found  a  home  in  a  land  of 
strangers  ;  but  in  two  weeks  after  our  landing 
I  was  a  widoio,  and  my  children  fatherless. 
Your  poor  father  died  repenting  of  his  sins, 
and  trusting  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  I  cannot  now 
bring  myself  to  write  all ;  I  have  not  strengtj^ 
I  shall  stay  here  with  the  little  ones  untitl  get 
remittances  from  England  to  enable  me  to  re- 
turn. Do  not  grieve  too  much,  dear  child,  the 
Lord  win  not  lay  upon  us  more  than  we  can 


AX   AXGEL   VISIT.  65 

bear,  and  let  us  hope  for  a  liappy  reunion  be- 
fore long. 

Your  aflfectionate  mother, 

E M ." 

Rejoiced  as  Lizzie  might  be  to  read  her  mo- 
ther's words  and  know  that  she  was  alive,  there 
was  not  that  in  her  letter  which  could  altogether 
bind  up  the  bruised  spirit.  Her  thoughts 
dwelt  now  on  her  mother's  lonely  situation,  and 
she  sympathized  too  deeply  to  gain  much  good. 
She  felt,  also,  the  loss  of  her  father,  who  had 
always  been  fond  of  her,  though  he  had  not 
been  all  she  could  have  wished.  It  was  not 
long  before  she  penned  a  reply  to  the  dear 
parent  she  loved  so  well.  It  was  a  long  letter 
of  love  and  consolation,  such  as  an  affectionate 
and  truly  pious  daughter  only  can  write.  She 
said  nothing  of  her  health,  except  that  it  was 
Jj^as  usual,"  that  she  might  not  add  to  her  mo- 
"^ner'^  affliction.  A  few  paragi'aphs  shall  be 
quoted  : 

— '••  Do  pray  for  me,  dear  mother,  at  ten 
o'clock  every  day.     Don't  you  remember  when 


66  AN   AXGEL   VISIT. 

I  was  at  home  once,  and  we  were  walking  in 
the  garden  and  looking  at  the  beautiful  moon, 
you  said  the  same  moon  would  shine  on  me 
when  I  was  at  school  ?  And  does  not  the  same 
Jesus  hear  your  prayers  and  mine  too,  though 
the  great  ocean  is  between  us  ?  You  taught 
me  to  pray,  dear  mother,  and  how  shall  I  ever 
thank  you  enough !  Did  poor  father  say  any 
thing  about  me  before  he  died  ?  God  bless 
you,  my  dear  mother !  God  bless  you,  my 
dear,  dear,  dear  mother ! 

So  prays  your  affectionate     Lizzie." 

These  sweet  communings  were  the  last  ever 
enjoyed  by  mother  and  daughter  while  in  this 
world.  Not  very  long  after  these  letters  were 
written,  a  report  was  brought  by  a  vessel  from 
America,  that  3Irs.  M.  was  numbered  with  the 
dead,  and  her  little  ones  were  in  the  care  of 
friends.  From  the  day  this  intelligent 
reached  the  already  stricken  child,  she  seemed 
to  wither  daily.  Her  secret  devotions,  and 
the  perusal  of  her  Bible  were  still  observed, 
but  she  seemed  like  one  just  waiting  the  Mas- 
ter's call.     Her  calmness  and  resignation  re- 


AN   ANGEL    VISIT.         '  67 

solved  itself  into  a  heavenly  peace,  which  rested 
on  her  countenance,  and  imparted  even  a 
cheerfulness  to  her  smile. 

Her  governess  went  one  morning  into  her 
room,  as  usual,  to  ascertain  how  she  had  passed 
the  night,  and  was  alarmed  to  find  her  very 
much  changed.  There  was  no  mistaking  the 
symptoms  enstamped  on  her  sweet  face,  and 
the  physician  was  summoned  in  all  haste.  But 
all  that  friends  or  physicians  could  do,  was  of 
no  avail.  "  She  was  wanted  above,"  and  mor- 
tahty  could  not  longer  keep  her  wilhng  spirit. 
She  knew  that  she  was  called,  and  seemed  re- 
joiced that  her  hour  had  come. 

"  Mrs. ,"  said  she,  looking  up  to  her 

governess,  J'  when  I  am  gone,  please  look  in 
my  desk,  and  you  will  see  what  I  would  like 
you  to  do  with  my  things.  Please  give  them 
all  as  I  have  written  it  down.  But  don't  for- 
get the  ijoor  heathen^  and  the  Bible  cause,  will 

you,  Mrs. ?"     Her  teacher  promised  all 

should  be  as  she  desired,  and  expressing  her 
thanks,  she  closed  her  eyes  as  if  satisfied,  and 
soon  after,  Lizzie,  the  gentle,  the  pious,  the 


68  AN   ANGEL   VISIT. 

beloved,  sunk  into  her  last  sleep,  whispering, 
''  I  am  goiyig  to  meet  my  dear  mother. ^^ 

It  is  not  many  years  since  "  gentle  Lizzie  " 
became  an  inhabitant  of  her  Father's  kingdom. 
What  dear  child  is  there  who  would  not  love 
to  live  as  Lizzie  lived,  and  die  as  Lizzie  died, 
in  hope  of  heaven.  She,  though  gentle,  be- 
nevolent, obedient  and  prayerful,  knew  that 
being  thus  could  not  save  her,  and  she  leaned 
all  her  hopes  on  the  merits  of  Jesus,  her  Re- 
deemer. We  know  that  He  has  not  deceived 
her,  and  that  "  where  He  is,  there  she  is  also." 
There  may  you  be,  dear  reader,  when  you 
have  passed  away  from  earth. 


UCSB  LlBRm 


;SOUTHeBN 


BEGlONW 


IVo.»«o  , 


